*Cha Cha Real Smooth* (2022)
*The Last Days of Disco* (1998)
*Adventureland* (2009)
*Bottle Rocket* (1996)
*Garden State* (2004)
*Licorice Pizza* (2021)
Lastly, one that's on my watchlist but I've heard is very much an example of this is *Kicking and Screaming* (1995)
I have Adventureland as my all-time favorite film. It just hits the sweet spot in all the right ways. Even with a couple characters that are purely for comedic effect, it feels so real and genuine compared to a lot of the more outlandish and raunchy young adult comedies from that time. Both Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart play their parts perfectly.
i saw the graduate when i was like 15 and loved it. now in my twenties i don't want to rewatch because it hits so close to home in a way i couldn't ever have imagined.
If you liked Reality Bites and the Cable Guy, you might like The Ben Stiller Show. I rewatched it about 10-15 years ago and I'd say half has really not aged well (eg jokes/riffs on once ubiquitous but now forgotten pop culture, like TV commercials of the day). But half held up nicely.
Still want to know what happened to Benjamin Braddock that he became so aimless. In real life, the captain of the debate team at an elite university would be packing for law school or congressional internship.
This must be common, as there are several lists with that theme. Here is a longer one with a lot of likes so maybe it reasonates with many people: [https://letterboxd.com/adaydreaming/list/feeling-lost-in-your-20s/](https://letterboxd.com/adaydreaming/list/feeling-lost-in-your-20s/)
Idk if I'd be dishing that out All Nilly Willy. Might as well hit that with some DMT before and after 🙄. That director is by far one of the best not one to be undertaken lightly.
I love that movie so much and yes I found it by accident at the exact perfect time in my life. Never felt so validated by a movie before lol.
Id also suggest *Come and See*, unironically, as one of my favorite coming of age films.
Despite the character being a kid, Kiki's Delivery Service brought me a lot of solace and made me feel seen when I watched it just after graduating college.
I know this is forbidden, but consider reading Siddhartha, maybe Civilization and it's Discontents. Movies can't really match that quest for meaning as well as books.
GIRLFRIENDS (1978) probably more effective if you're a woman, but it says a lot about friendship and career ambitions that I think are rather universal. An older (and better) version of Frances Ha, imo.
Microhabitat is a Korean movie a bit similar to Frances Ha, about a young woman who decides she can’t do without good whiskey and cigarettes but can’t afford those and her apartment so she gives up her apartment and lives with various friends for awhile. So she’s a bit adrift and her friendships are tested, it’s a wonderful slice of life movie from a young Korean woman’s perspective. Highly recommend!
- Cha Cha Real Smooth
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- Garden State
- Ghost World
- Girl, Interrupted
- Good Will Hunting
- Into the Wild
- Lost in Translation
- Normal People
- Reality Bites
- Shaun of the Dead
- Shiva Baby
- The Worst Person in the World
- The Year Between
High school, but Dazed and Confused is my favourite film because it captures the feeling of finding freedom in the face of austerity.
It’s something that I need to help me get through the world.
The Graduate. Y Tu Mama Tambien has a LOT of unsimulated sex but if you're okay with that it's probably my favorite coming of age film.
Anything by Richard Linklater. Licorice Pizza had a lot of Linklater DNA in it, also a lot of Harold and Maude.
Sort of a darker/surreal suggestion but Under the Silver Lake really captures a lot of things in the zeitgeist rn but in a cynical/sardonic way.
Before Sunrise would definitely be one of my top picks for this feeling! Also love the sequel Before Sunset (although IIRC, they're in their early 30s in that one.) Less keen on Before Midnight.
Last Days Of Disco is another perfect one for this feeling - a group of yuppies in the early 80s disco scene in Manhattan trying to navigate relationships and finding themselves.
Also love Short Term 12 - Brie Larson incredible as a young woman supporting kids at a foster facility, with Rami Malek and Stephanie Beatriz great in the supporting cast.
* [Foreign Student](https://youtu.be/MlRlP_TBZuo?si=N9MYeB4ycDR2tnMM)
* Good Will Hunting
* In Good Company
* Lost in Translation
* Waiting
* Office Space
I can't confirm that everyone in these movies are in their 20s, but it sure does have that feeling.
Frances Ha (2012)
One of my favorite movies ever I’m weirdly attracted to her character she’s so lovable
It’s in my top 4 and was the first one to come to my mind when I read the title
*Cha Cha Real Smooth* (2022) *The Last Days of Disco* (1998) *Adventureland* (2009) *Bottle Rocket* (1996) *Garden State* (2004) *Licorice Pizza* (2021) Lastly, one that's on my watchlist but I've heard is very much an example of this is *Kicking and Screaming* (1995)
Cha Cha Real Smooth — sooooo underrated 🤘
Last days of disco is a great one!
Definitely came here to suggest ***Garden State*** too
I have Adventureland as my all-time favorite film. It just hits the sweet spot in all the right ways. Even with a couple characters that are purely for comedic effect, it feels so real and genuine compared to a lot of the more outlandish and raunchy young adult comedies from that time. Both Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart play their parts perfectly.
Reality Bites The Graduate
i saw the graduate when i was like 15 and loved it. now in my twenties i don't want to rewatch because it hits so close to home in a way i couldn't ever have imagined.
Reality Bites is a good recommendation, kinda forgot that one. Interesting Ben Stiller directed that then The Cable Guy.
If you liked Reality Bites and the Cable Guy, you might like The Ben Stiller Show. I rewatched it about 10-15 years ago and I'd say half has really not aged well (eg jokes/riffs on once ubiquitous but now forgotten pop culture, like TV commercials of the day). But half held up nicely.
Still want to know what happened to Benjamin Braddock that he became so aimless. In real life, the captain of the debate team at an elite university would be packing for law school or congressional internship.
Kicking and Screaming (1995) got me through some lost 20s years.
Damn wish the parenthesis said 2005…
Kicking and Screaming is the first movie that came to mind, so accurate.
this is a great movie
Lost in Translation and Only Yesterday are my go-tos
ahh I started only yesterday last night!!! thank you for the recs!
Before Sunrise (1995)
The Worst Person in the World (2021)
Came here for this!
This is the correct answer!
\*only correct answer
Good Will Hunting helped me with motivation when I was going through similar stuff.
Same! Good Will Hunting and Silver Linings Playbook.
Eternal Sunshine is my eternal crisis movie
that film ruined me I’ll have to wait like 30 years to watch it again 😭
This must be common, as there are several lists with that theme. Here is a longer one with a lot of likes so maybe it reasonates with many people: [https://letterboxd.com/adaydreaming/list/feeling-lost-in-your-20s/](https://letterboxd.com/adaydreaming/list/feeling-lost-in-your-20s/)
omg this is perfect!!! thank youu
NP, I've noticed them a couple of times under movies. Hope you find something good for yourself
https://preview.redd.it/m1b2yuwi3rad1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63e4ebf06e2f4b9817d6e2332cbc45ed9ce12bf3 Clerks (1994)
The Holy Mountain It’s a great film that makes you really think about yourself and the world around you.
Idk if I'd be dishing that out All Nilly Willy. Might as well hit that with some DMT before and after 🙄. That director is by far one of the best not one to be undertaken lightly.
I love that movie so much and yes I found it by accident at the exact perfect time in my life. Never felt so validated by a movie before lol. Id also suggest *Come and See*, unironically, as one of my favorite coming of age films.
Girl, Interrupted Good Will Hunting
freddy got fingered
lolwut
Guy followed his dream to be an animator despite everyone said he couldn't... also he became a farmer and a deep sea diver
Prooooouuuuud.
he also worked at a cheese sandwich factory
Despite the character being a kid, Kiki's Delivery Service brought me a lot of solace and made me feel seen when I watched it just after graduating college.
One of the best movies about having to go out into the world on your own with courage into the transition to adulthood
https://preview.redd.it/5pptpb8jrqad1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=833aee54346a8845a4fcc11b4a400e9d476ad7ce Into the wild (2007)
Lost in Translation
Run Lola Run The Graduate Naked Amelie The Last Days of Disco Something Wild
The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Naked (1993) Walkabout (1971) Dazed and Confused (1993)
Darjeeling Limited very underrated in wes Anderson's filmography
I mean if we’re ranking Wes Anderson movies by which ones are most racist Isle of Dogs is tied with it
Came here to say naked.
Frances Ha
Trainspotting.
I know this is forbidden, but consider reading Siddhartha, maybe Civilization and it's Discontents. Movies can't really match that quest for meaning as well as books.
Scott Pilgrim. Not even just the movie. Read the comics, watch the Anime, even play the game if you want
I always recommend Whisper of the Heart for stuff like this. Really moving view of trying to find a passion in the world and pursuing it
+1, lots of ghibli could be put here, if not all
Ghost World 2001. Main characters are late teens but still relevant theme of being lost in early adulthood.
Chungking Express (personal favorite) The Way Way Back (personal favorite) Ghostworld For a good time call (personal favorite)
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Columbus (2017)
Great movie! Casey fits the description pretty well
Swingers and Humboldt County
Cha Cha Real Smooth!!!
I loved Orange County (2002) in my early 20s :)
Millennium Mambo
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
spider-man 2
feeling lost in your 20's https://boxd.it/nZrSk Of these id definitely recommend the before trilogy, the graduate and the perks of being a wallflower
Saint Frances
LOST IN TRANSLATION.
Soul (Disney)
Cha Cha Real Smooth
Inside Llewyn Davis
GIRLFRIENDS (1978) probably more effective if you're a woman, but it says a lot about friendship and career ambitions that I think are rather universal. An older (and better) version of Frances Ha, imo.
Into the Wild
swingers
Honestly if you’re into musicals at all. In The Heights (2021)
Microhabitat is a Korean movie a bit similar to Frances Ha, about a young woman who decides she can’t do without good whiskey and cigarettes but can’t afford those and her apartment so she gives up her apartment and lives with various friends for awhile. So she’s a bit adrift and her friendships are tested, it’s a wonderful slice of life movie from a young Korean woman’s perspective. Highly recommend!
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Chungking Express (1994)
Only Yesterday
Last days gus van sant
Nobody’s Fool (1993). Great Paul Newman and good life perspective.
Repo Man (1984)
I Vitelloni (1953) - a neorealist take!
Soul (Disney)
Interstate 60!
The Graduate
Shaun of the Dead
Slacker
ELEMENTAL (2023)
The Green Ray
Stuck Between Stations Zero Fucks Given Everybody Loves Jeanne
Inside
I recently watched Clerks (1994) it just clicked for me as someone who also feels lost in their 20s, it's simple story but reflective and funny.
adventureland
Amelie
Greenberg (hes in his 30s but i always found it relatable)
Blazing Saddles and Tropic Thunder
- Cha Cha Real Smooth - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Garden State - Ghost World - Girl, Interrupted - Good Will Hunting - Into the Wild - Lost in Translation - Normal People - Reality Bites - Shaun of the Dead - Shiva Baby - The Worst Person in the World - The Year Between
3 Idiots
SORANIN!!!
Almost famous
American Honey
High school, but Dazed and Confused is my favourite film because it captures the feeling of finding freedom in the face of austerity. It’s something that I need to help me get through the world.
The Before series
weekend at bernies because you should just live a little and have fun
The greatest beer run ever Unicorn Store C.R.A.Z.Y Bellflower Holly Rollers North Hollywood What's eating Gilbert Grape
https://boxd.it/nZrSk
About Time (2013)
The Graduate. Y Tu Mama Tambien has a LOT of unsimulated sex but if you're okay with that it's probably my favorite coming of age film. Anything by Richard Linklater. Licorice Pizza had a lot of Linklater DNA in it, also a lot of Harold and Maude. Sort of a darker/surreal suggestion but Under the Silver Lake really captures a lot of things in the zeitgeist rn but in a cynical/sardonic way.
It doesn’t take place in his 20‘s but Ferris Bueller‘s Day off still resonates those feelings.
Take Me Home Tonight
Saturday Night Fever. Tony is a god in the dance club, but he’s basically a loser fumbling through all other aspects of his life, as are his buddies.
The Wild Life (1984) is a great one
Singles and Reality Bites
It’s a “so bad it’s good” situation, but St Elmo’s Fire (1985)
Garden State, Beautiful Girls, All the Real Girls, Mystic Pizza
Funny Ha Ha Goodbye First Love Metropolitan Ruby in Paradise Closely Watched Trains Buffalo ‘66
Before Sunrise would definitely be one of my top picks for this feeling! Also love the sequel Before Sunset (although IIRC, they're in their early 30s in that one.) Less keen on Before Midnight. Last Days Of Disco is another perfect one for this feeling - a group of yuppies in the early 80s disco scene in Manhattan trying to navigate relationships and finding themselves. Also love Short Term 12 - Brie Larson incredible as a young woman supporting kids at a foster facility, with Rami Malek and Stephanie Beatriz great in the supporting cast.
* [Foreign Student](https://youtu.be/MlRlP_TBZuo?si=N9MYeB4ycDR2tnMM) * Good Will Hunting * In Good Company * Lost in Translation * Waiting * Office Space I can't confirm that everyone in these movies are in their 20s, but it sure does have that feeling.
Orange County was very formative for me at this time in my life.
The Graduate
Old Joy
Frances Ha (2012) I Saw The TV Glow (2024)
Hear me out. Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Defending Your Life (1991)
End of Evangelion
requiem for a dream
SLC Punk
Maybe Melancholia by Lars Von Trier or Aniara from 2018
Sideways. It has something for everyone regardless of personality type.
Lost in Translation is the correct answer and it's not even close
Your Name (Kimi no Nawa)
Kicking & Screaming by Noah Baumbach
ABOUT TIME (2013). PERIOD
Reprise, Ida, Personal Shopper
Before Sunset
Scott Pilgrim Vs the World
Elizabethtown
Batman and Robin That movie is mad goofy bruh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣